Women’s Resource Center Director Beverly A. McPhail displayed one of the many prom dresses that were donated for the Fairy God Mother Project that’s happening until Thursday. | Hiba Adi/The Daily Cougar
The Fairy Godmother Project is a Houston-based organization that provides prom dresses for high school females who cannot afford to spend the money required for that special day.
Unlike other donation-based organizations, the FGP does not center around holidays or disasters but on a single, traditional, high school celebration. Making wishes come true is the primary goal of the FGP.
Upon finding out about this project, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Web Editor Jennifer Palton conducted her own research then approached the Dean of Technology and Communications Jerome Crowder with the idea of bringing it to UH.
“The Fairy Godmother project is an important program because it provides more than just sparkling gowns and fancy shoes; recipients walk away with a healthy boost to their self-confidence and self-worth,” Palton said.
Hoping to use FGP as an opportunity to connect UH students with the community, Palton believes this endeavor will be especially successful on campus, as many students are recent graduates of high school and prom is still a fresh memory.
For this reason, Palton hopes that many will be inspired to help.
Although FGP is a nationwide program, this is the first year that CLASS has collaborated with Houston’s FGP and brought it to the UH campus. So far, a total of 55 dresses have been collected.
This project comes during a time in which many have been touched by the economic downturn.
“For the parents, to know that their child’s special day will be all that they dreamed, despite a difficult financial situation, is a blessing and a welcomed relief,” Palton said.
FGP is also committed to fostering a sense of worth in each recipient and, while the students are shopping the donation sites, volunteers will be on hand to mentor young ladies on matters of self-esteem and respect.
Donations are being accepted at the Women’s Resource Center at the University Center and at the Office of Educational Technology through Thursday.
